Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-08-05

er colored men LETT church with witness
when church broke UP, but they left him
some time before reaching the barn or
getting in slgheof it. Witness had told
Justice Gale when he was arrested that he
knew nothing of the burning of the barn.
Had told MIR. Braxtcn in the Harrison
burg Jail that be knew nothing of
it. and had told Mr.. Braxton in the
Staunton Jail again that he didn't
know who did it. Had sworn before
Justice Harlan that nobody had offered
him any money to say that he didn't know
who burned it, but now his conscience
made him tell on Johnson. Did not tell
because he knew If he didn't get it on
somebody he would 90 to the penitentiary.
Here Mr.. Braxton read an affidavit made
by witness before Justice Harlan that he
never saw johnson near the barn, and
never heard Johnson make any threats
against Mr.. Clover Witness replied to this
that he didn't understand the paper when
he signed it. Directly afterwards he had
told Jailor Turner thai he had signed the
paper but it was all wrong and he did not
know what be was doing when he signed
it. johnson told him ill Harrisonburg
that if he ever got out he intended to kill
Mr.. Glover. Witness was not afraid of
johnson.
". r. Mish testified that he owned
some of the property in Glovel's barn
worth more than 500. Gave up debt to
prisoner rather than have any difficulty.
Knows from what prisoner had said to
him that he had ill-wilI against Mr..
Glover.
Wallace Mcclure is constable. Arrest
ed Johnson at his house. Heard Johnson
getting out of bed. When he came to the
door prisoner threw up his hand and said.
BOSS, for Gods sake, dom kill me-" Be-
fore anything had been said to him as TO
what he was arrested for. prisoner said.
II am Innocent" Mcclure said of what
Prisoner replied, about that barn burn
ing"
Cross EGonained. Did not know there
had been much excitement in the neigh
Dorhood about the burning or that he
feared for the safety of his prisoners from
violence of the people.
AT THE HEELS OF GEORGE WASH
INGTON.
Nelson Johnson, colored, Ia witness
who. it is said, is one hundred years old
but don't look it).-He heard Johnson say
he would burn Glover's barn and after the
burning heard johnson say ''it was good
thing and it would have been better If
Glover's family had been in it," There
had been warrant trial between his FAM
lily and johnson, and his granddaughter was
now under bonds to keep the peace to-
wards johnson. Cannot tell how johnson
came to make that statement to him. The
barn was burned Saturday night. 1t was
Tuesday or Wednesday when johnson
made his statement. [ was summoned
here with the understanding that was to
say this. (Great laughter.) [ am 100 years
old, going on 101. Laughter.) I have
been drunk since was 100 years old, but 1
wasn't drunk yesterday.
By Mr.. Braxton--Y GU remember George
Washington, don't you?
Witness-Yes sir, was right at his
heels. (Great laughter.)
DR.. Il. A. McChesney was not sworn
as witness, but being called on, made
protest. onally the statement that he did
not see evidences of liquor On the centena-
rian witness who fell in the court Monday
and was taken to Jail.
| Aqgie Johnson, colored, wife of the 100
year old witness was called to testify that
her husband was sick and not drunk when
he fell in the court yard, and did so testify
Logan 1arner, jailor, testified that the
100 year old witness was sick, but not
drunk when carried into the Jail. This
witness confirmed the statement Of Chas.
| Venable that V. had stated to him that
| he had signed paper that was all wrong.
Inferred from Venable's conduct in Jail
that lie was afraid of the other prisoner
johnson.
Mary johnson, colored, Of Craigsvile,
This witness denied that johnson ever
! said to her that he had burned the barn or
ever said anything about it. The Com
monwtalth expected by this witness TO
prove that Johnson had admitted to her
the deed. The Commemorative Attorney
attempted to show she was telling q false
hood aud before had said that johnson had
confessed it to her. The court ruled that
the Commonwealth could not inpeach it's
own witness.
To examination by Mr. Braxton the
witness reiterated. her denial, that
Jackson had ever admitted the burning
or that she had ever told anybody he had.
DaUtd uoaUard, cOlored, testified that
johnson asked him if he saw him II J and
Charlie Venable go out of church and not
come back. Witness said he had not. Wit
ness went on to say that be saw Johnson
at church that night and when it broke
up he came out and walked to his own
house with the preacher. Johnson's house
ia in an opposite direction from Glover (.
Venable's house is towards it.
Here the Commonwealth case was
rested.
Charles Tenable, re called.-Knew VIM.
Johnson, fellow prisoner in Jail here;
did not tell him on Friday night that he
burned the barn.
THE PRISONER s SIDE.
Vim. Johnson. colored. was acquainted
with Charles Venable and in same cell.
Witness is in jail for assault and battery.
No kin TO the prisoner johnson, never
saw him before he came to jail. Friday
night Charles Venable and be were stalk
ing about girls" Venable said he
had burnt Giover's barn because
be was in love with girl at Mr.,
Glover's and she had had a fuss with Mr..